Seminal plasma alters the endometrium during early embryo development in cattle†

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Animal Science
• Genomics

Background:

• Seminal plasma modulates maternal environments in several species.
• Artificial insemination in cattle bypasses natural seminal plasma exposure.
• Mechanisms linking seminal plasma exposure to heifer birth weight are unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of seminal plasma supplementation on the bovine endometrial transcriptome.
• To determine if seminal plasma influences early embryo development in cattle.

Main Methods:

• Cows received intrauterine infusions of saline or seminal plasma post-insemination.
• Endometrial tissue was collected on day 7 for RNA sequencing.
• Embryo recovery and quality assessment were performed.

Main Results:

• Seminal plasma infusion did not affect embryo number, morphology, or quality.
• 107 differentially expressed genes were identified in the endometrium.
• Genes related to immune response, cellular growth, and embryonic development were altered.

Conclusions:

• Seminal plasma exposure alters the bovine endometrial transcriptome seven days post-insemination.
• This alteration does not adversely affect early embryo development in cattle.